146 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



mountain chain, which we had crossed at 

 the Bear Lake Portage ; and to the eastward 

 and northward, at the distance of twelve 

 miles, by the Copper Mountains, which Mr. 

 Hearne visited. The plains are crowned by 

 several clumps of moderately large spruces, 

 about thirty feet high. 



This evening the Indians made a large 

 fire, as a signal to the Hook's party that we 

 had passed the terrific rapid in safety. 



The position of our encampment was as- 

 certained to be, latitude 67° 1' 10" N., lon- 

 gitude 116° 27' 28" W., variation of the 

 compass 44° 11' 43" E., dip of the needle 

 87° 31' 18". 



Some thunder showers retarded the dry- 

 ing of the meat, and our embarkation was 

 delayed till next day. The hunters were 

 sent forward to hunt at the Copper Moun- 

 tains, under the superintendence of Adam, 

 the interpreter, who received strict injunc- 

 tions not to permit them to make any large 

 fires, lest they should alarm straggling pari- 

 ties of the Esquimaux. 



The musquitoes were now very numerous 



